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A Tale of Two Williams

One of the first young people I met at Kennedy Heights Arts Center was William Jenkins.

I met William when he was just six or seven years old—a bright, curious, energetic kid who lived in the neighborhood. His mom, Robin, had enrolled him in our summer camp program, hoping to find a positive outlet for all that creative energy. Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching his spark grow into something remarkable.

William spent countless hours at the Arts Center—in summer camps, after-school art classes, and eventually Teen Artists for Change (TAC), our club for creative youth. Although he was an introvert and a little on the quiet side, something powerful happened when he was given space to create and people who believed in him. He stepped up. He found his voice. And before long, this once-reserved kid became one of the leaders of TAC: a peer mentor, a role model, a person younger students looked to for encouragement. He even helped keep the club going during the pandemic—no small feat.

When it came time for high school, William had a dream: he wanted to attend the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). But he needed a portfolio to apply—and that felt like a big, intimidating hurdle. Robin reached out to us for help, and we introduced William to local artist and KHAC instructor William Linthicum (“Will”), who had a studio in our Annex. What began as a simple portfolio support quickly grew into a mentorship—and a friendship— that changed both of their lives.

Will remembers, “He brought in a stack of sketch books. He didn’t have art in school, but he loved to draw, mostly anime cartoons.” With Will’s guidance and encouragement, young William was accepted to SCPA as a visual arts major. His whole family gathered around the phone to call Will to share the news. They were so happy–as were we!

Later, when considering his path after high school, William turned once again to his mentor. Will urged him not just to aim high, but to aim for the stars. And he did. 

William was accepted and awarded a scholarship to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the top art colleges in the nation. He is now a junior design major… and absolutely crushing it.

Will once told me, “I am really thankful to have played a part in William’s development. I’m moved to think where he might have been without Kennedy Heights Arts Center.”

Today, as he prepares for his college graduation and steps into a future filled with possibilities, William does so with confidence, purpose, and a sense of identity that was nurtured here—by his community, by his mentor, and by the belief that his voice matters.

William remarked, “You have no idea how much you’ve changed my life. You gave me a voice and a chance. You changed the trajectory of my life for the better.”

Watching William grow from a rambunctious six-year-old to a thoughtful young man and emerging artist has been one of the greatest joys of my time at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. I am so proud of him. And I can’t wait to see what he does next.

It’s stories like William’s that remind me why I get up every morning—and why I believe so deeply in this work. 

Here, art changes everything.

And with your support, it can change everything for the next young person who walks through our doors.

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